INNOV8 Returns To Lafayette Featuring Dozens Of Lectures, Workshops And Networking Events

INNOV8 Lafayette, a festival of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, will be held April 23-30 in Lafayette, La. The annual series of events showcases thought leaders and content experts through dozens of lectures, workshops and networking events.

Structured as a platform for entrepreneurs and the creative class to gather for inspiration, education and collaboration, INNOV8’s events revolve around the spirit and process of innovation, and provide tools and tactics to help entrepreneurs succeed. From inspirational talks by best-selling authors and thinkers, to practical workshops by content experts, INNOV8 covers topics related to healthcare technology, manufacturing, architecture, regional planning, music and culinary arts, energy and film.

INNOV8, a volunteer-led enterprise, has received support from individuals, businesses, civic groups, nonprofit organizations, economic development groups, the University of Louisiana and all levels of government.

“Last year, INNOV8 Lafayette was a huge success,” said Chris Allain, INNOV8 co-chair. “Attendees left feeling inspired and energized, and we expect even more regional participation this year. We're inviting the community, entrepreneurs, business leaders and talented thinkers to join us again. Most events are free, and designed to connect great ideas with diverse and ambitious members of the creative class. It’s all about the ideas and fostering serendipitous collisions.”

INNOV8 Keynote Speaker
Best-selling author, Steven Berlin Johnson, will serve as the featured speaker at the INNOV8 2014 Keynote Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on April 29th at the CajunDome Convention Center.

Johnson has written several books on progress and innovation, but his most popular work on innovation is the bestselling “Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation.” Others include “The Innovator’s Cookbook,” “The Invention of Air,” “The Ghost Map,” “Everything Bad Is Good For You,” and his most recent work, “Future Perfect.” His work has appeared in numerous periodicals including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Wired Magazine. Johnson hosts a six-part PBS series based on his work on the history of innovation: “How We Got To Now with Steven Johnson” (Fall 2014).

INNOV8 Speakers
Other speakers include

• Doug Hall: Founder and chief executive officer at Innovation Engineering Institute, professional innovator, adjunct faculty member, academic researcher and best-selling author. Doug will be conducting the Innovation Engineering Executive Program in collaboration with the University of Louisiana.
• Bryan Sivak: Chief technology officer for the US Health & Human Services, the founder of InQuira, a knowledge management software development company. He returns to INNOV8 for his second year presenting as a part of CajunCodeFest.

INNOV8 Events
Key events include

• CajunCodeFest 3.0
• Innovation Engineering Executive Program
• The Vault
• Dealmakers Summit
• Launch Hour for Makers and Manufacturers
• And several others

INNOV8 2014 will kick off with a reception on the evening of April 22for volunteers and supporters. The series of speakers, workshops, and networking events is held from April 23 through April 30. Most events are free to the public.

About INNOV8
INNOV8 Lafayette is a festival of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, founded and led by volunteers of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the community of Lafayette, La., from April 23 – 30, 2014. For more information, visit www.innov8lafayette.com.